SWEDEN's big Port of Gothenburg, with it solid volumes of backhaul building materials, steel products and furnishings, has won a direct weekly Asia-Europe call from the G6 Alliance, the first time since 2012.
"We have noted an increase in trade between Scandinavia and China, in particular exports to China," Fredrik H錵ansson S鋖l, general manager at Hyundai Merchant Marine, reports IHS Maritime News.
From 2010 to 2014, Sweden抯 exports to China increased 40 per cent to 89,074 TEU, according to World Trade Services.
These exports are primarily wood products and machinery, which the first ship leaving Gothenburg will be carrying, along with steel.
China抯 exports to Sweden have grown six per cent in the same time to 168,561 TEU from 159,768 TEU. Machinery and electrical equipment, furniture, and textiles are make up the largest groups of products Sweden imports from China.
"The Swedish market has developed and industry has actively sought alternatives for direct traffic between Gothenburg and the Far East. This will be crucial for the future growth of the two countries," said OOCL country manager Johan Wester.
This is the port抯 second Far East service, as the 2M Alliance抯 Maersk Line and Mediterranean Shipping Co also make weekly calls at Gothenburg. Maersk Line抯 sister company APM Terminals operates the port抯 sole container facility.
G6's 14,000-TEU ships will rotate through Qingdao, Shanghai, Hong Kong, Shenzhen-Yantian, Singapore; Rotterdam, Hamburg, Gdansk, Gothenburg, Antwerp, Southampton, Singapore, Shenzhen-Yantian and Qingdao.
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